Janis Joplin – Mercedes Benz

"Mercedes Benz" as written by Ruth Maria Renner, Vincent Graf Von Schlippenbach, David Conen and Jerome Bugnon....
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Mercedes Benz song meanings
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  • +2
    General CommentJanis is strongly sarcastic when says in the begining "I want to do a song of great social and political import". This song is about society's superficial values and materialistic people, what were very questioned in sixties.
    Júlio Ramaleon May 06, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General CommentAm I crazy or would Jack White do a brilliant cover of this song?
    turquoiseumbrellaon March 03, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General CommentShe is making fun of the materialistic desires of the majority of society. Our infatuation with spiffy cars, fancy meals and drinks, as well as high-tech gadgets. This world is full of greedy bastards.
    brighteyes602on January 01, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Commentthe title is ironic in fact the song drips with sarcasm and ironyy. Janis Joplin is critisizing people who use prayer to ask for personal gain. She came from a repressive religious childhood leaving her with depression probably setting her on the path to rebelion trhough drug misuse and unfortunaely an early death.
    shehatemeon May 31, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI think Janis is spoofing on people who pray for material luxuries.

    Prayer is supposed to be deeply spiritual. But here in the USA, we have ranting, raving, televangelists who tell us that if we give them enough money, god will reward us financially. It's shameful, and it really is a joke.
    walterbyrdon February 29, 2012   Link
    • 2 Replies
  • 0
    General CommentClassic song -ya gotta love it
    VintageCutieon June 02, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commentgreat song.
    So_Impossibleon August 03, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commentyea when it comes on in the morniung while im in the shower i just gotta laugh cause she puts so much cheer and old folk into it.. even though it aint one of her best she still does it great and in opinion i think joplin was the break through for female rockers every where.... the best part of mercedes benz is when she gives a little chuckle at the end
    CoNjOutsidersLsSmon March 04, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis song is symbolic. joplin is saying how she's worked hard all her life and hasnt had much of a break. she wants to experience the pleasures life has to offer, like so many others already do. she wants to be carefree and happy.
    carbson March 17, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI love this song :D It's one of those you just have to like...you know?
    Janis is one of my biggest heros, very inspiring. And I strongly agree with that CoNjOutsidersLsSm...that she "was the break through for female rockers every where...." Where would be without her? At least i admire her a lot for what she did and her ideas =D
    Hringlaron February 03, 2005   Link

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